Openly gay and lesbian candidates advance in Colorado primaries

Sen. Steadman and Rep. Ferrandino

Seven openly gay and lesbian candidates advanced in Democratic primaries last Tuesday for seats in the Colorado General Assembly, including two Latino men in their 20s. The number of LGBT state lawmakers in Colorado could double after elections this November, which could help Rep. Mark Ferrandino, an incumbent openly gay Democrat, become House Speaker.

GayPolitics.com lists them all:

Rep. Mark Ferrandino, Colorado State House of Representatives, District 2 (incumbent)
Joann Ginal – Colorado House of Representatives, Dist. 52
Dominick Moreno - Colorado House of Representatives, Dist. 32
Paul Rosenthal – Colorado House of Representatives, Dist. 9
Sen. Pat Steadman – Colorado State Senate, District 31  (incumbent)
Rep. Sue Schafer – Colorado State House of Representatives, District 24 (incumbent)
Jessie Ulibarri – Colorado State Senate, Dist. 21

Sen. Lucia Guzman, an incumbent, is not up for reelection this year.

Gay candidates win big across U.S.

Openly gay candidates for state legislature seats in California, Montana and Maine won key primary victories this week.

Other out candidates also advanced, including Victoria Kolakowski (pictured), a transgender woman running to become an Alameda County, Calif., Superior Court judge, and Jill Ravitch, a lesbian who was elected district attorney in Sonoma County, Calif.

Guzman appointed to Colorado Senate seat

Lucia Guzman, an out lesbian, was appointed by a vacancy committee to the Colorado Senate, serving out the term of a senator who resigned her seat. Guzman, who is endorsed by the Victory Fund, was already campaigning for the seat and now will run as an incumbent.

HRC congratulates Annise Parker, the new - and openly gay - Mayor of Houston

"Another milestone in the quest for LGBT equality was reached last night with the historic election of Annise Parker as Mayor of Houston. Annise is an incredibly qualified and gifted public servant, who focused her campaign on public safety, the economy and the future of Houston. She stood up to last minute anti-gay attacks with grace, courage and determination which carried the day. Houston, America’s fourth largest city, sent a positive message to the nation, that it chose the best person for the job based on her experience and qualifications, while at the same time breaking another glass ceiling. We congratulate Annise on her stunning victory, and we congratulate the Victory Fund for their tireless and successful work on her behalf." - Joe Solmonese, President HRC

Tuesday elections landmark for gay candidates

This week's round of elections proved to be a landmark for LGBT candidates. At least 62 won races for municipal and state office on Tuesday, with some outcomes still to be determined.

"This has been the most successful nonfederal election year in the Victory Fund's history," said Chuck Wolfe, the group's president and CEO. "More candidates were endorsed and more candidates won than ever before. But just as important is where they won. Some of these are true breakthrough victories that have the potential to change the political landscape in some communities."

HRC hails gay ambassador

The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, today issued a statement on reports that David Huebner has been selected as the U.S. ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa. Huebner, who is the head of the China Practice and the International Disputes Practice of Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP, is also a founding board member and former board co-chair for the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD).

"The selection of David Huebner as Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa is not only good for the LGBT community, it is good for America,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “The appointment of openly gay and lesbian Americans, by this Administration, continues show their dedication to diversity and making decisions not based on someone’s sexual orientation, but based on their qualifications. We congratulate David on his appointment and look forward to his service to our country.”

“As the American people have learned from my experience, sexual orientation has nothing to do with ones ability to represent our country abroad in the foreign service,” said Jim Hormel, the first openly gay U.S. Ambassador appointed to Luxembourg by President Bill Clinton and a founder of the Human Rights Campaign. “I am pleased that President Obama has chosen David Huebner who will serve as an excellent ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa.”

Huebner, who is openly gay, is former Chairman of Coudert Brothers LLP. A native of Pennsylvania, Huebner is a summa cum laude graduate of Princeton University, where he majored at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. He is also a graduate of Yale Law School.